The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

When the plane landed at Busan Gimhae International Airport, it was drizzling outside the window.

In Busan in October, the sea breeze carries a damp, cold, and salty smell. Through the porthole, you can see the gray-blue sea in the distance, and the indistinct outline of Haeundae Island further away.

Li Xu unbuckled his seatbelt and glanced at Liu Yifei beside him—she was looking out the window, her fingers unconsciously gripping the cuffs of her sweater.

"Still nervous?" Li Xu asked.

Liu Yifei turned her head and smiled: "I'm feeling much better."

Shen Ao, sitting in the row in front of him in business class, turned around and grinned, "Junior sister, relax. I guarantee our film will be a hit!"

Shen Ao was wearing an inappropriate floral shirt today, with a wrinkled suit jacket over it, making him look like he had just returned from a tropical island vacation and was suddenly pulled onto a plane.

"Senior Brother Shen, don't make any rash promises," Li Xu said calmly. "Film festivals are never short of surprises."

"Hey, junior, you're just too serious."

Shen Ao waved his hand dismissively, took out three pairs of sunglasses from his backpack, and handed them to Li Xu and Liu Yifei. "Here, put these on. Even though it's raining outside, we can't lose our style. I've done my research; all those people in Cannes wear sunglasses on the red carpet, no matter if it's dark or light."

Liu Yifei looked at the pair of sunglasses in her hand, which were clearly cheap goods from a street stall and had the "GUCC1" logo printed on the temples, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Li Xu shoved the sunglasses back into Shen Ao's hands: "Put them away, don't embarrass yourself. We're a film crew here to participate in the Busan International Film Festival, after all."

"How is it shameful?"

Shen Ao said, feeling wronged, "It's twenty yuan a pair! It was originally thirty, and I even bargained for it!"

Ignoring Shen Ao's antics, Li Xu and Liu Yifei were the first to disembark, walk through the VIP channel, go through customs, and collect their luggage.

Along the way, we also encountered a few international student fans holding up signs with Liu Yifei in Chinese. There were only seven or eight of them, but they were very enthusiastic, screaming "Xixi, look here!" and "Xixi is so beautiful."

Liu Yifei waved and smiled politely, but her heart was filled with mixed feelings—these fans were still calling her by her nickname "Xixi," and they still loved the ethereal TV drama character, not the movie actress Liu Yifei.

"Junior sister is quite popular."

While pushing his luggage cart, Shen Ao waved to his fans and chuckled without a care in the world, as if he were the star himself.

As soon as I exited the arrival hall, the car I had booked was already waiting for me.

The man who picked them up was a Korean man in his forties surnamed Kim. He was a local driver and guide that Jing Tian had arranged in advance, and he could speak basic Chinese.

"Director Lee, Ms. Liu, Mr. Shen, welcome to Busan."

Uncle Jin bowed respectfully, took the luggage, and said, "Miss Jing Tian is already waiting at the hotel."

Li Xu nodded slightly: "Thank you for your help."

The three quickly got into the car, and Uncle Jin, who was both the driver and guide, was responsible for carrying the luggage.

After getting on the bus, Shen Ao peered out the window, clicking his tongue in amazement: "The atmosphere at this film festival is amazing, there are posters everywhere..."

Liu Yifei chuckled: "After all, it's a famous film festival in Asia, so this is how it should be."

Shen Ao chuckled but didn't reply, his eyes continuing to dart around. Soon, his face lit up with excitement: "Hey, Li Xu, Senior Yi Fei, isn't that our movie?"

Just then, the vehicle was passing near Busan Cinema Palace, and Lee Wook looked over and saw a poster for "Love Announcement" hanging on a lamppost on the street.

—The still of him and Liu Yifei kissing deeply in the rain was enlarged to more than two meters high, standing out prominently on the wet street.

Liu Yifei's gaze followed the image, and she looked at the poster of herself, soaked by rain and with a stubborn look in her eyes, feeling somewhat dazed.

Is this really her?

That person reshot scenes again and again on the Huairou film set, just to bring out the best emotion in a single line of dialogue.

The person who filmed in the pouring rain and shared their first on-screen and real-life kiss in the downpour?

"This poster is really well done, and you did a great job too."

While Liu Yifei was still in a daze, Li Xu suddenly spoke up.

Liu Yifei snapped out of her daze and said, "Junior, you gave a great command."

"No need to thank me, you acted it out yourself. You were serious and hardworking enough, and you reap what you sow."

Li Xu turned his head, looked ahead, and said calmly.

A moment of silence fell over the car.

Soon, the car stopped at a boutique hotel near Haeundae.

The hotel isn't luxurious, but its location is excellent; it's just a ten-minute walk to the cinema.

Jing Tian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the lobby. When she saw them come in, she smiled and greeted them.

Today she wore a beige cashmere sweater with matching trousers, and a light brown trench coat over it. Her long hair was loosely tied back, making her look both casual and sophisticated.

Compared to Li Xu and the others, she looked like a rich heiress on vacation, which was indeed the case.

"The journey must have been tiring."

Jing Tian first greeted Li Xu, her eyes shining with a bright smile.

However, she didn't reveal much of her thoughts in front of everyone, and simply gave Li Xu a gift bag.

After greeting Li Xu, she gently hugged Liu Yifei, who was standing next to her. "Yifei, you look beautiful today, but your eyes have a bit of dark circles. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Liu Yifei nodded somewhat shyly: "I'm a little nervous, I can't sleep."

"That's normal. The first time I came here, I woke up five times in one night," Jing Tian said with a smile.

Watching from the side, Li Xu realized that the two of them had suddenly become close in a way that he couldn't understand, a kind of relationship that was unique to girls. It even felt a bit like a best friend relationship.

After hugging Liu Yifei, Jing Tian looked at Shen Ao and said, "Senior Shen, your shirt..."

"Isn't it beautiful?"

Shen Ao twirled around triumphantly, "I bought this especially for the Busan International Film Festival; it symbolizes the vibrant inner world of our films!"

"It symbolizes that you might be stopped outside by security guards as a suspicious person."

Jing Tian didn't hold back in her criticism.

She took a paper bag out of her purse. "Here, a proper shirt. I bought seven or eight for Li Xu, but I'll give you one."

Shen Ao took the paper bag; inside was a light-colored shirt, the material of which looked expensive.

He paused, scratched his head, and said, "I can't possibly accept this..."

"Wear it, don't embarrass our crew."

Jing Tian waved her hand and turned to Li Xu, "Director Li, I've arranged all the rooms. You, Senior Brother Shen, and Yi Fei will each have a room, and I'll stay in the suite upstairs."

"I had arranged to have dinner with Mr. Park at 7 p.m. at a Korean restaurant on the third floor of the hotel, which is very private."

"Mr. Park?" Lee Wook asked.

"Park Jae-hyun is very familiar with Lee Chang-dong, one of the judges at this year's Busan International Film Festival. Lee is a professor of film studies at Sungkyunkwan University, one of the most influential film critics in South Korea, and a director of the Korean Film Critics Association. He has been dealing with film festivals for many years and is considered an insider."

"The reason why 'Love Announcement' was shortlisted for the New Currents was because of his connections, which saved us a lot of the preliminary procedures. He is very easy-going and pays special attention to new Asian directors. This dinner is just for chatting, so there is no need to feel pressured."

Jing Tian lowered her voice.

Li Xu nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

"It's nothing, don't be so polite with me."

Jing Tian smiled and winked, "You, Shen Ao, and Senior Yi Fei can rest first. See you in the lobby at 6:30."

After returning to her room and putting away her luggage, Shen Ao couldn't wait to try on the shirt. Looking at herself in the mirror from left to right, she exclaimed, "I must say, Miss Jing has great taste! This shirt makes me look so much more energetic, like a proper director!"

"As expected of someone who picked this for you, junior, she really put her heart into it."

Li Xu ignored him and simply opened his suitcase to start packing.

His luggage was simple: two suits, a few changes of clothes, and a laptop.

And a thick black notebook.

It was filled with the film festival schedule, notices, and some scattered ideas.

"Junior, to be honest, Jing Tian is a really nice girl."

While buttoning his shirt, Shen Ao said, "She's beautiful, rich, has connections, is reliable, and most importantly, she's very attentive to your needs..."

Li Xu interrupted him without even looking up.

"Senior Brother Shen, watch your mouth. You offended Senior Sister Yifei on set before because of this."

"We're meeting someone important tonight, so you'd better think about what you should and shouldn't ask."

Shen Ao pouted: "Fine, fine, I won't ask. But we have to agree that if, and I mean if, Miss Jing really does end up with you, you have to treat me to a nice meal."

"My eyes are like eagle eyes; I can see people very accurately."

Li Xu finally raised his head and glanced at Shen Ao: "So what did you figure out?"

"I noticed that the way she looked at you was different."

Shen Ao lowered his voice mysteriously, "He's polite to others, but to you... how should I put it, it's like looking at a lost treasure that has been found again."

Li Xu paused for a moment, then remained silent. He actually had the same feeling, or rather, a "misconception."

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the three of them ate something simple and then walked to the cinema to collect their credentials.

The rain has stopped, the streets are wet, and the air carries the salty smell of the sea and a faint aroma of coffee.

The closer you get to the cinema palace, the more pedestrians there are, and various languages ​​are mixed together: English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and occasionally you can hear French and German.

The cinema palace is a modern building with glass curtain walls that gleam coldly on a cloudy day.

A queue had already formed at the entrance, including formally dressed media reporters, students with backpacks, and many who looked like film industry professionals.

Most of them were dressed in black or dark-colored clothes, looking either tired or excited, and carrying thick program books and information bags.

"That's quite a show of force."

Shen Ao craned his neck to look, "Are those guys over there from Japan? I heard them say 'Sukuni Ichi'."

Li Xu didn't reply; his gaze fell on a group of people not far away.

There were five or six Chinese people surrounding a middle-aged man wearing a black jacket and glasses.

The man looked to be in his thirties, with a buzz cut and a smiling expression, speaking to the person next to him in Chinese.

Liu Yifei saw it too and whispered, "That's... Section Chief Jia?"

"Yes, he should have a film participating in the festival this year. His film 'Still Life' won the Golden Lion Award last year, and it should be in the screening section in Busan this year."

Li Xu spoke calmly.

While Li Xu and the other two were chatting, Section Chief Jia seemed to notice their gazes. He turned his head and looked over—he had a thin face, wore black-rimmed glasses, and had a gentle expression that carried the weariness of years of creative work.

His gaze lingered on Liu Yifei for a moment, recognizing the popular young actress in China. He then whispered something to his assistant and walked over.

"Teacher Liu? Your film is participating in the film festival too?"

Jia Zhangke walked over, extended his hand, and spoke calmly.

Liu Yifei quickly shook hands: "Director Jia, hello. I am a fan of yours. I especially like 'Xiao Wu' and 'Platform'."

"Thanks."

Section Chief Jia smiled, a smile that was somewhat tired but sincere. He turned his gaze to Li Xu and Shen Ao, "And these two are?"

"This is Director Li Xu, the director of our film, and this is Shen Ao, our producer," Liu Yifei introduced.

Section Chief Jia glanced at Li Xu, sized him up for a few seconds, and then extended his hand: "Director Li, you're young and promising. The film is..."

"Love Announcement" has been shortlisted for the New Wave category," Li Xuping said calmly.

"Love Announcement? Is this a teen romance film?"

Section Chief Jia nodded and said, "I have some ideas. However, the competition in the New Currents category is quite fierce. Films from Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, and Iran are all good, but being nominated is an affirmation. It's not easy for young people."

Section Chief Jia's words were polite, but they subtly conveyed the "guidance" of a senior to a junior.

Shen Ao's expression changed slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but Li Xu stopped him with a look.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director Jia."

"I really like your film 'Still Life,' especially the storyline of Han Sanming searching for his wife. That silent persistence was filmed with great restraint, yet it was also very powerful," Li Xu said calmly.

Section Chief Jia was clearly taken aback.

"Still Life" was the film that won him the Golden Lion Award, but it was a box office flop in China and was also highly controversial.

This young man in front of me not only watched the movie, but he could also accurately pinpoint the core emotional thread of the film, which is quite remarkable.

Section Chief Jia's tone became more serious, "Have you seen 'Still Life'?"

"I watched it in the film processing room at Beijing Film Academy; it was a film reel."

Li Xu said, "The last long shot, where Han Sanming stands at the bow of the boat watching the Three Gorges gradually disappear, left a deep impression on me."

Section Chief Jia stared at Li Xu for a few seconds, a genuine smile appearing on his thin face: "Film version? There aren't many young people who can see film versions these days. Most people only want to watch pirated DVDs, which have poor picture quality and no subtitles, so they don't want to go to the cinema."

"Digital cinema has its advantages, and film has its texture. Speaking for myself, I actually prefer film."

"As for what the audience thinks, we can't control it, we can only let nature take its course."

Li Xu said.

"You're right, you're more interesting than the average young person."

Section Chief Jia nodded, took out an old leather business card holder from his pocket with worn edges, pulled out a business card and handed it to Li Xu, "I'll be staying in Busan until after the closing ceremony. We can have coffee and chat about movies sometime."

Li Xu accepted the business card: "Definitely."

Section Chief Jia left with his men.

Only after they had walked a distance did Shen Ao spit out a curse: "I hate people who act like they're superior to everyone else! They're the ones who are ruining our domestic films!"

"Although Director Jia's films have won some awards abroad, have they even grossed 1000 million yuan at the domestic box office? Take his Golden Lion Award-winning film 'Still Life' from last year, for example. How dismal was its domestic box office performance? It didn't even have the production cost of our film!"

"Senior Brother Shen," Li Xu frowned.

Did I say something wrong?

Shen Ao disagreed, saying, "His films like 'Xiao Wu' and 'Platform' are just so-so. You could say they have an artistic flair, and they certainly have some depth, but a film that only has depth and no box office success is ultimately crippled, isn't it?"

"But his camera work is indeed impressive, and his storytelling is also good, conveying a sense of realism in a calm manner. It's just that he lacks a commercial feel. Section Chief Jia has real talent."

Li Xu spoke calmly. He wasn't as easily offended as Shen Ao, and he genuinely admired Section Chief Jia's filmmaking skills.

Winning awards abroad and selling overseas copyrights is a skill in itself.

Currently, the money that many domestic films can earn at the box office in mainland China is far less than the copyright fees that these award-winning films can sell overseas.

Upon hearing Li Xu's words, Shen Ao choked, and said sullenly, "Fine, fine, whatever you say, but junior, when did you see his movie 'Still Life'? I don't know anything about it."

"And Yifei, when did you become a fan of this Section Chief Jia? Really?"

Liu Yifei stood there and shook her head. "It's fake, just polite talk."

"I saw a special screening at the film archive last year. Let's go get our marriage certificate," Li Xu added.

"What kind of certificate? A marriage certificate?"

Shen Ao chuckled, no longer thinking about Section Chief Jia, and teased him with a smile.

"Get out!"

Li Xu made a gesture as if he was going to kick him.

"Haha, how old are you? Stop teasing us. We're here to participate in an exhibition, don't let the reporters take pictures." Liu Yifei laughed uncontrollably from the side.